The New Orleans Pelicans announced that dozens of members of the organization, including some players, received COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday.
Source: Andrew Lopez/ESPN
ANALYSIS: The Pelicans reportedly received these doses through a partnership with a local hospital. Lopez provided some insight into how some of the members might have qualified:
"On Tuesday, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, allowing anyone 16 or older with a health condition that may result in a higher risk of disease to get the vaccine," Lopez wrote.
"One of the 12 conditions is being overweight, which is defined as someone having a body mass index of over 25, a criterion that many NBA players hit despite being professional athletes. Anyone in the state with conditions like asthma, hypertension and Type 1 diabetes are also now eligible."
Pelicans guard Sindarius Thornwell revelaved via Twitter on Friday night that he would be getting vaccinated Saturday. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks are also awaiting the go-ahead from the league office before moving ahead with a plan for players and staff to receive vaccines.